John 15

Read: John 15

John 15:2 “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

Think

One of my kids is a born leader. That’s a nice way of saying they’re strong-willed. In elementary school, they had a strong opinion about how their classroom should be run and often clashed with their teacher. My child believed they knew better, and they weren’t afraid to show it. Their attitude affected their behavior, leading to a meeting with the teacher and principal. My child was heartbroken and confused, unable to understand why their ideas weren’t being accepted.

We’ve all been there, experiencing setbacks in jobs, relationships, or ministry. We often wonder, “What’s going on? Why is this happening?” Like my child, we may not see what God is doing behind the scenes. That’s where our key verse comes in. God is more interested in our character than our comfort. He prunes areas of our lives that don’t match his plans to produce more spiritual fruit. When our world is turned upside down, it’s not a setback but a cutback, making room for more good things to come.

Sometimes, the pruning process feels painful. I remember pruning a rose bush one fall. My daughter was horrified, thinking I had killed it. I reassured her that pruning would make the bush produce larger and more beautiful roses next year. Similarly, God is not trying to harm us. He prunes us to produce more Christ-like fruit in our words, attitudes, and deeds. Love, patience, kindness, gentleness, joy, faithfulness, goodness, and self-control are fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). These are evident in people connected to Jesus, the vine.

To bear fruit, we must remain connected to Jesus. John 15:4 says, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.” We are the branches, and our only hope is to stay connected to the Vine under the Gardener’s care. If you’re in a pruning season, you are growing and changing. Jesus wants more for you. He wants the absolute best for your life. Remember, 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Though the process may be painful, trust that Jesus is making you into something more beautiful, like him.

Apply

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11). Are you in a season of pruning? How are you responding to God? Are you angry or trusting that he is working “all things out for the good of those who love him”?

Pray

Heavenly Father, I come to you with my anxieties and uncertainties. Help me trust your pruning process, knowing you are working for my good. Strengthen my faith and keep me connected to Jesus, the true Vine. In Jesus’ name. Amen.